TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge and Willingness to Donate Kidneys for Transplantation in Ghana
T2 - A Cross-Sectional Survey
AU - Boima, V.
AU - Ganu, V.
AU - Yorke, E.
AU - Dey, D.
AU - Amissah-Arthur, M. B.
AU - Agyabeng, K.
AU - Yawson, A.
AU - Lartey, M.
AU - Mate-Kole, C. C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
PY - 2020/12
Y1 - 2020/12
N2 - Background: The main treatment modalities for chronic kidney disease (CKD) are dialysis and kidney transplantation. While kidney transplantation provides better survival and quality of life outcomes, it is a new treatment option in Ghana. Finding kidney donors for transplant may be a major challenge due to varied views of the public. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 purposively selected communities in the Greater Accra region in Ghana. Structured questionnaires and standardized instruments were used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, spirituality, and perception of kidney transplantation. Results: The mean age of the 480 participants was 29.60 ± 10.65 years. The proportion of men was 51%. The average score for knowledge of participants on kidney donation was 4.8 ± 2.6. The level of spirituality score was 25.4 ± 3.89. Approximately 48% (231/480) of participants were willing to donate a kidney while still alive. Willingness to donate when dead was 72% (344/480). Willingness to donate a kidney when dead was significantly lower among the participants in the older age groups. High level of knowledge about kidney transplantation, being employed, basic formal education, and never married were associated with willingness to donate kidney (P < .05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that participants have a low level of knowledge regarding kidney transplantation, while about two-thirds are willing to donate only after death. Continuous public education is key to raise public awareness of the need for kidney transplants. This will support the Ministry of Health in their efforts to institute a kidney transplant program in Ghana.
AB - Background: The main treatment modalities for chronic kidney disease (CKD) are dialysis and kidney transplantation. While kidney transplantation provides better survival and quality of life outcomes, it is a new treatment option in Ghana. Finding kidney donors for transplant may be a major challenge due to varied views of the public. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 purposively selected communities in the Greater Accra region in Ghana. Structured questionnaires and standardized instruments were used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, spirituality, and perception of kidney transplantation. Results: The mean age of the 480 participants was 29.60 ± 10.65 years. The proportion of men was 51%. The average score for knowledge of participants on kidney donation was 4.8 ± 2.6. The level of spirituality score was 25.4 ± 3.89. Approximately 48% (231/480) of participants were willing to donate a kidney while still alive. Willingness to donate when dead was 72% (344/480). Willingness to donate a kidney when dead was significantly lower among the participants in the older age groups. High level of knowledge about kidney transplantation, being employed, basic formal education, and never married were associated with willingness to donate kidney (P < .05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that participants have a low level of knowledge regarding kidney transplantation, while about two-thirds are willing to donate only after death. Continuous public education is key to raise public awareness of the need for kidney transplants. This will support the Ministry of Health in their efforts to institute a kidney transplant program in Ghana.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85084389164&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.02.165
DO - 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.02.165
M3 - Article
C2 - 32402460
AN - SCOPUS:85084389164
SN - 0041-1345
VL - 52
SP - 2883
EP - 2889
JO - Transplantation Proceedings
JF - Transplantation Proceedings
IS - 10
ER -